Just a week and a half before the anniversary of his passing, the 3rd annual Patrice O’Neal Comedy Benefit was announced, taking place at the New York City Center. In its third year, the benefit began as the brainchild of close friend and fellow comedian Bill Burr as a way to raise money for Patrice O’Neal’s family, in the wake of the veteran comedian’s untimely death on Nov. 29, 2011 due to complications from a stroke he suffered in late October of that same year. Scheduled performers include Ben Bailey, Burr, Colin Quinn, Dave Attell, Hannibal Buress, Jim Florentine, Jim Norton, Michael Che and Rich Vos.

The boisterous, incisive, and altogether damn smart comedian was known for his confrontational yet perceptive humor. A divisive comic for sure, O’Neal was simultaneously thought of as a vulgar misogynist and a comedic philosopher. On what many consider the precipice of his mainstream acceptance and success, having just released his own phenomenal debut hour-long special Elephant In The Roomand receiving praise for his razor-sharp and unconventional roast of Charlie Sheen, O’Neal left the comedy world with a giant hole (pun sorta intended) and his friends have managed to cull together their comedic resources to continue their tribute to a dude who can probably already be considered a legend. The 3rd annual Patrice O’Neal Comedy Benefit will take place on Feb. 11, 2015 at the New York City Center. The proceeds will help Patrice’s family, including his longtime partner Von De Carlo and step-daughter Aymilyon, mother Georgia, and sister Zinder. Tickets are now on sale at the New York City Center site.

Rodrigo Torrejon

Rodrigo Torrejon is a journalist/writer technically based out of New Jersey, but a New York native on Tinder. He loves medium-rare steak, the outdoors, but most of all, comedy. He also writes and curates a music and culture blog at thisisson.blogspot.com.